10. Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals: Peterson has long been viewed as football’s most physically gifted defensive back. Prior to last season, though, there was a sense that his annual spot in the Pro Bowl and on the All-Pro’s first team was due more to reputation than results. After dropping weight and getting his Type 2 diabetes under control last offseason, Peterson put it all together in 2015. The NFL’s stingiest shutdown cornerback, Peterson topped all cornerbacks with a 45.6 passer rating and 18.9 coverage snaps per reception.
Last season Peterson had 35 tackles and two interceptions. In the postseason, Peterson added four tackles and picked off Carolina quarterback Cam Newton in the NFC championship game.
Since being drafted fifth overall out of LSU in 2011, the cornerback has been a headache for quarterbacks with 17 interceptions over his five years in the NFL.
Just missing the list was Cardinals’ safety Tyrann Mathieu, who has eight interceptions since joining the Cardinals in 2013.
